Delhi: Dog stabbed thrice while trying to save master from attackers

Tyson’s timely rescue act, said the family, prevented the stabbing from being lethal, while his counter-attack scared the attackers away.

Adopted as a puppy over a year ago, a dog exemplified why it is considered man’s best friend – it saved the life of its owner despite being repeatedly stabbed by a group of men in Mangolpuri last week.

The family of the injured man Rakesh Singh, an MCD employee, said Tyson, the dog, stood like a messiah between life and death for his owner.

Tyson’s timely rescue act, said the family, prevented the stabbing from being lethal, while his counter-attack scared the attackers away.

Singh’s son Ajay, a competitive body builder, said, “It’s a five-inch-deep wound, and doctors told us the knife came dangerously close to puncturing his heart.”

The incident happened on October 12 around 10pm when Singh had gone out to give Tyson dinner and a dozen men showed up.

Ajay said the accused started an argument with his father without provocation.

“The argument was brief and half of them left the scene soon after. Those who stayed back became more aggressive and attacked my father. Soon, one of the attackers pulled out a knife and stabbed my father. At this point, Tyson tried to intervene in the scuffle. Tyson went on to bite a few of them, even though the man with the knife managed to stab the dog thrice. But somehow, Tyson kept fighting them off and ensured that my father was not harmed further,” said Ajay.

Biting and barking at the same time, Tyson managed raise an alarm, Ajay added.

“As soon as we heard the barking, we realised something was wrong and rushed to the spot. Only then, did we realise what was happening. We focussed on my father’s injuries first, taking him to the hospital and informing police. We realised later that Tyson, too, was bleeding and rushed to arrange for first aid,” said Ajay.

Last year, while returning home from work, Rakesh Singh had spotted an abandoned puppy in the middle of a road which was under the threat of being run over by a car.

“It could not open its eyes. My father saved it and brought it home. Now a year later, this dog has proved to be a messiah for us,” said Ajay.

An attempt to murder case has been registered, but police are yet to arrest any of the attackers.